The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-10-02
RErRosPECrIvE AND ANTICIPA
TORY.


the community was bending its every
effort 10 overthrow and destroy the
great majority of the inhabitants; not
perhaps, to obliterate them, but to de-
prive them of social, political and
religious rights and privileges, to des-
poll them of their property, and re-
duce them to the condition of slaves to
little coterie of ambitious adventures.
Money was being spent freely to &C
complish these wicked purposes. The
pubic mind throughout the land
was being poisoned and filed
with hate towards the Mormons.
A venal or thougbtless press
was being used to help along the
schemes of the rule or ruin clique. The
ears OF Congressman who were about to
gather in Washington for the sessions
work were filed with vile ISLANDERS of
the people of Utah. Circulars bearing
base lies and malicious fctions against
the Saints were industriously spread
throughout the nation, and every thing
which hate could suggest or greed in
spire, was being done to further the
progress of the schemers.
From early in the autumn, all
through the weary winter, until
the adjournment of Congress in
March, the people of Utah stood
shoulder to shoulder for the main
tenance of their rights. The unity
which has been a distinguishing char
acteristic, was never more emphatically
asserted. They worked together, they
defended with each other, and we guess
they prayed together for their escape
and salvation from the evil which
threatened them. There is mo use de-
nying that there existed great deal of
apprehension. Fear was felt and e1-
pressed by many, so diabolical was the
scheme of the attacking party and so
black and forbidding did the
horizon appear at times. The
struggle will long he remembered,
if indeed, it shall ever be forgotten
by this generation. 1t will be remem-
beFed, not only on account of its ex-
element and the intensity of the con-
test, but because it marked turning
point in the history of this Territory's
long continued strife.
Spring came, Congress adjourned
and q great sigh of relief was breathed.
There was disappointment, deep and
oyerpowering, in some hearts, but there
was rejoicing with the masses that
victory had been won and escape was
assured. The defeat of the greedy
clique was so complete and overwheim-
ing that the schemers became discour-
aged if not absolutely disheart-
ened. The more bitter among
them did not want to surrender and
give up the fight; they tried to inspire
new courage in the hearts of their fol-
lowing, and sought to go on with the
assault, but do what they might, they
could arouse no enthusiasm. The rank
and file were dispirited, and did not
propose to go on with losing fight.
With the adjournment of Congress
there was lifting of the black clouds,
and from that day to the present the
atmosphere has been clearing. The
public feeling has steadily lost its bit
terness, and hope has as steadily risen.
There has been a forgetfulness or a
smothering of hate and malice, and an
administration of antidotes to the poison
which was so prevalent. There has been
a general drawing together of hitherto
opposing elements, and an approach
towards harmony where discord for
merly prevailed. We are still a long
distance from the peace which is desir-
able and which is essential to the best
good of the community, but the change
for the better has been so great that
there is really rejoicing on all sides. If
one will recall the condition of things
which prevailed here year ago and up
TO March, and compare it with the
condition existing to-day, he will find
it difficult to convince himself that
so much has been wrought in
six months. With the convic-
ton will come sense of
the wonderful capabilities of men
when they undertake to do thing. It
must not be understood that this re-
markable change has come about of its
own accord, without an effort On the
part of anybody. It has been brought
about by skill and labor and high de-
gree of self-controI. Men YeaiIz d that
whichever side might win in the des-
perate contest being waged, ruin and
destrac ion must come to all if the war
faZe-were kept up; and realizing this
there vas putting on of the brakes,
and determination to check and if
possible end the strife which was PROV